Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The Earl of Selborne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the impact of the Natural Environment Research Council's proposals to reduce staff numbers at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology from 600 to 400 upon (a) research into water management; and (b) the monitoring of water in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: The department has been assured by the Natural Environment Research Council that there will be no impact on current research into water management or the monitoring of water in the United Kingdom if staff numbers at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology are reduced from 600 to 400. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology will continue to deliver its contractual commitments to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other government departments and agencies.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The Earl of Selborne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the impact of the Natural Environment Research Council's proposals to reduce the number of Centre for Ecology and Hydrology sites from nine to four upon (a) research into water management; and (b) the monitoring of water in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: The department has been assured by the Natural Environment Research Council that there will be no impact on current research into water management or the monitoring of water in the United Kingdom if the number of Centre for Ecology and Hydrology sites is reduced from nine to four. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology will continue to deliver its contractual commitments to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other government departments and agencies.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff employed at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Monk's Wood, Winfrith and Banchory will be made redundant; and how many will be accommodated at the new Veterinary Laboratory Agency laboratory at Weybridge.

Lord Bach: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is currently consulting with the public and with staff on its proposed changes to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH). These consultations close on 15 February. If, following these consultations, NERC decides to proceed with the proposed changes to CEH, it will consult staff and the trade unions about which posts would be affected, their location and whether this would entail any redundancies.
	The Veterinary Laboratory Agency has to date had no discussions with NERC or CEH concerning the proposals.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who will continue the research work presently carried out by the three stations of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Monk's Wood, Winfrith and Banchory if these centres close as proposed by the Natural Environment Research Council.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government provide funding to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to support research and related postgraduate training in environmental sciences in the UK. NERC is currently consulting widely with stakeholders on proposals on how best the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) can contribute to this on a sustainable basis. This consultation will help NERC fully to evaluate the proposals with the aim of ensuring that the best CEH science continues, irrespective of location. I am sure that NERC will consider carefully all evidence and views on the potential impact of the proposals.

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What level of expenditure will be incurred this financial year in making preparations for the establishment of the proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights; and what provision is to be made for such activities in the financial year 2006–07.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have made provision for £800,000 for 2005–06 and are expecting expenditure of £7.1 million for 2007–08.

Corporation Tax

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the level of corporation tax on company profits in each of the 25 member states of the European Union and in the accession states, Romania and Bulgaria.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Eurostat publishes figures for the "Top Statutory rate on corporate income" for each of the 25 member states of the European Union in its annual publication Structures of the Taxation Systems in the European Union (2005 edition, p. 89, Table II-5-1).
	A copy of this publication is in the Library of the House. The corresponding rates for Bulgaria and Romania for 2005 are 15 per cent. and 16 per cent. respectively.

Corporation Tax

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the annual income of the Northern Ireland Exchequer from corporation tax paid by companies based in Northern Ireland.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information is not available to estimate the annual income of the Northern Ireland Exchequer from corporation tax paid by companies based in Northern Ireland.

Defra: Nobel House

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, Jim Knight, on 14 December (Official Report, Commons, 2009W), how many staff work in Nobel House; and how many extra staff will be accommodated as a result of the refurbishment.

Lord Bach: An extra 300 staff are accommodated in Nobel House as a result of the refurbishment work, making a total of 750 workstations with contingency plans for housing a further 150.

Department for Transport and BAA

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any employee or representative of BAA is currently sitting on any task group or working party appointed by the Department for Transport.

Lord Davies of Oldham: BAA is represented on the following DfT working groups/forums:
	Air Transport White Paper External Advisory Group
	UK Airports Slots Industry Forum
	Project Board for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow
	Heathrow Airport Surface Access Stakeholder Group
	Heathrow Airport Mixed Mode Stakeholder Group
	Crossrail Stakeholder Group
	European Air Traffic Management Stakeholder Forum
	European Air Traffic Management Charging Group
	Single European Sky ATM Research Industry Group
	Heathrow Bird Strike Working Group.

EU: Albania

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they expect the proposed European Union stability and association agreement with Albania to be concluded before the end of the Austrian presidency of the European Union.

Lord Triesman: On 9 November 2005, the European Commission stated in its Communication 561 (2005 Enlargement Strategy paper) that Albania has made progress in the development of its legislative and institutional framework and administrative capacity. The Commission expects negotiations of the stabilisation and association agreement to be completed in the near future, possibly during the Austrian presidency of the EU. Thereafter, the Council will consider the Commission's recommendation, in particular whether the government of Albania have implemented the reforms necessary to support their EU aspirations.

EU: Austrian Presidency

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What European Union policy areas which were addressed during the United Kingdom presidency they will raise during the Austrian presidency.

Lord Triesman: Like every presidency, the Austrian presidency will inherit a large part of its agenda from the previous presidency, and many areas of ongoing work will reflect progress made under the UK presidency. This will include the work agreed to at the informal summit at Hampton Court in October to meet the challenges of globalisation in the areas of research and development, university reform, demographics, energy, security and immigration, and the common foreign and security policy aspects of defence and security. It will also include further discussion on enlargement and the future of Europe, negotiations on the Doha development agenda, and discussions on the inter-institutional agreement between the Council, Commission and European Parliament, which will provide the necessary formal basis for the decisions on EU spending over 2007–13 taken at the December 2005 European Council.

EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to launch any initiatives at the European Union-Latin American nations' summit to be held in Vienna from 11 to 13 May.

Lord Triesman: The Austrian presidency of the EU, which is responsible for organising the summit, is currently discussing the agenda for the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit with European member states, Latin America and Caribbean governments and the European Commission.

Extraordinary Rendition Flights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions during the past three years aircraft have landed in the United Kingdom while engaged in rendition flights to other countries on behalf of the United States.

Lord Triesman: I refer the noble Lord to the reply given in the other place to the right honourable Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary on 12 December 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1652–1653W)), and his Written Ministerial Statement of 10 January (Official Report, Commons, col. 5WS).

Aviation: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 would be affected if their prediction that air passenger numbers will reach 475 million per year by 2030 is met.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The energy White Paper focuses on domestic emissions and domestic emissions reductions. Emissions from international flights do not currently count in the national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, there being no international agreement yet on ways of allocating such emissions.

Manslaughter

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 23 November (WA 216), how many individuals were convicted of common law manslaughter in England and Wales in each of the past 20 years where the relationship of the victim to the suspect was a commercial, business or professional relationship; and what penalties were imposed.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The available information for suspects convicted of common law manslaughter where the relationship of the victim to the suspect was a commercial, business or professional relationship is provided in the following table:
	Suspects convicted of Common Law Manslaughter 1
	Relationship of victim to suspect was a commercial, business or professional relationship where the suspect killed a customer or client in the course of carrying out their occupation.
	
		
			  Sentence Life Over10 years (excluding life) 1 Over 4and up to10 years 4 yearsand under Fully suspended sentence Other sentence Total 
			 1984 2   2 
			 1985 1   1 
			 1986 2   2 
			 1987 1   1 
			 1988 1 2  3 
			 19891 3 1  5 
			 19903 3   6 
			 1991 1   1 
			 1992 2 1 1 4 
			 19931 2 1  4 
			 1994 5   5 
			 1995  2  2 
			 19961 7 2  10 
			 1997 2 1  3 
			 1997–98 2 2  4 
			 1998–99 4 1 1 6 
			 1999–2000 1 1  2 
			 2000–01 2   2 
			 2001–0211 
			 2002–032 2   4 
			 2003–040 
		
	
	1 As at 22 October 2004, figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 November (WA 42), how they decided that legislation to facilitate on-the-run terrorists was necessary if they do not hold figures on how many people would meet the eligibility requirements of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill.

Lord Rooker: The scheme contained within the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill was not based on the number of potential applicants but was intended to meet the requirements of the Government's commitment to deal with the outstanding issue of those suspected of terrorism-related offences committed before the Belfast agreement.

Northern Ireland Exchequer

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the most recent total annual transfer of funds from the Central Exchequer in the United Kingdom to the Northern Ireland Exchequer.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: In 2004–05, payments by the Northern Ireland Office to the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund totalled £8,950 million.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the implications for future funding for the main sporting groups in Northern Ireland in the event that they do not accept the proposal for a National Stadium in Northern Ireland (a) at the Maze site; or (b) elsewhere.

Lord Rooker: There are no links between funding of sports organisations and their participation in the proposed multi-sports stadium at the Maze/Long Kesh site. The Government have no proposals for establishing a multi-sports stadium elsewhere.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their preferred option for the siting of a national stadium for Northern Ireland; and what are the reasons for such options.

Lord Rooker: The Government's preferred option for the siting of a multi-sports stadium for Northern Ireland is the Maze/Long Kesh. This decision was reached following an extensive site selection evaluation exercise carried out by the strategic investment board on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Animal Welfare: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to bring legislation regarding cruelty to animals in Northern Ireland into line with that in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Lord Rooker: Unlike in the rest of the United Kingdom, where animal welfare legislation is at present spread over 23 Acts of Parliament going back to the Protection of Animals Act 1911, animal welfare legislation in Northern Ireland has already been simplified and consolidated by the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.
	However, a review of animal welfare policy is currently being finalised with a view to identifying new measures that may be necessary to strengthen powers to deal with abuses of animal welfare, including illegal puppy farms, puppy trafficking and dog fighting. Following consultation with stakeholders, steps will be taken to consolidate current legislation and to introduce new powers and penalties to deal with new types of offences.

Autism: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children suspected of having autism spectrum disorder are awaiting assessment in Northern Ireland; and what is the maximum wait for assessment.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I will write to the noble Lord with the relevant information as soon as it becomes available and place a copy in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Cross-Border Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the balance between the religious affiliations of all cross-border implementation bodies employees who work in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The community background of the Northern Ireland based staff that work in north/south implementation bodies is set out below.
	
		
			 Protestant Roman Catholic Non-Determined Total 
			 69 131 9 209

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Arts Council for Northern Ireland received applications for funding from the West Belfast Festival, the New Lodge Festival and the Ardoyne Festival in 2004 and 2005; when the council agreed to the funding; when it was paid in each case; and whether they will place the post-event performance documents in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: No applications were received from the New Lodge Festival or the Ardoyne Festival for either 2004 or 2005. Arts Council funding supports the activities of Feile an Phobail throughout each year and it is not possible to detail the exact provision for the August Feile, also known as the West Belfast Festival. Details of application dates and payment dates for funding provided specifically for the West Belfast Festival under two Arts Council programmes are given in the table below:
	
		
			  Application Received Application Agreed 2004 Payments Made 2005 Payments Made 
			 Annual Support for Organisations Programme 27/11/200301/12/2004 25/02/200403/03/2005 22/04/200413/09/2004 25/02/200518/05/200525/10/2005 
			 Lottery* 28/02/2001 17/05/2001 11/02/200414/10/200407/12/2004  
		
	
	* This was a three year award agreed in 2001.
	Copies of the post-event performance documents will be placed in the Library of the House.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consulted economists before making the decision to grant funding to nationalist festivals in West Belfast, New Lodge and Ardoyne by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Social Development; and, if so, whether the decisions were supported by the economists.

Lord Rooker: All projects were appraised in accordance with DFP guidelines and, in the case of Feile an Phobail, these required that the grant expenditure was approved by DFP, as total costs exceeded the threshold figure of £300,000. Economists were consulted before the project was submitted to DFP for approval and supported the decision.
	In the case of Ardoyne and New Lodge, both festivals' costs were less than £300,000 and therefore it was not necessary to consult economists.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is standard procedure for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to read all business cases requesting funding; and whether the Ardoyne Festival business case for 2005 was so examined.

Lord Rooker: It is standard practice for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to read all business cases requesting funding. The Ardoyne Festival business case for 2005 was examined and further information requested.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the purpose of the inter-departmental festival steering committee in Northern Ireland; who is on the committee; when it has met in the past three years; and whether they will place copies of the minutes in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: An inter-departmental working group, the Festival Strategy Group (FSG), was set up to address issues relating to the funding of festivals.
	The Festival Strategy Group comprised the following members.
	Carol Moore (DCAL)
	Dennis McCoy (DCAL)
	Henry Johnston (DSD)
	Gerry McWhinney (DARD)
	Billy Gamble (OFMDFM)
	Jack Layberry (DFP)
	Mark Mawhinney (DCAL)
	David Carson (DETI)
	Claire Archbold (OFMDFM)
	Shane Murphy (DFP)
	Colin Watson (DCAL)
	Pat Wilson (DCAL)
	Janice Wilkinson (DCAL)
	The group met on the following dates:
	15 August 2003
	5 September 2003
	30 September 2003
	6 October 2003
	29 October 2003
	11 March 2004
	Copies of the minutes will be placed in the Library of the House.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in a letter from the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to a committee member of the Ardoyne Nationalist Festival of 22 July, the 2003 attendance figures were requested.

Lord Rooker: The 2003 attendance figures were requested because they were omitted from the application.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past three years, which groups have received transitional funding from both the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Social Development; when and for what purposes funding was given; how much funding was approved by the department in each case; and whether they will place copies of the claims, including receipts, in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The information is as follows:
	Transitional Funding 2003–04
	DCAL
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Belfast Festival at Queen's 23/09/03 Part deliver festival £60,000 £60,000 (through Arts Council NI) 
			 Maiden City Festival 13/06/03 Part deliver festival £50,000 £50,000 
		
	
	DSD
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Feile An Phobail July 2003 Feile August 2003 project costs and salaries £114,548.00 £105,160.15 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh 14/08/03 Fleadh £59,080.00 £57,394.65 
			 Greater New Lodge Festival 15/08/03 Festival £29,160.00 £29,160.00 
			 Maiden City June 2004 Printing Costs for promotional material £15,000.00 £14, 473.60 
			 Golden Link Galliagh 11/09/03 Contribution towards staging, sound, lighting and generator costs £5,000.00 £5,000.00 
		
	
	Transitional Funding 2004–05
	DCAL
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Belfast Festival at Queen's 15/10/04 Part deliver festival £52,000 £52,000 (through Arts Council NI) 
			 Feile An Phobail 21/07/04 Part deliver festival £20,000 £20,000 (through NIEC) 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh 20/07/04 Part deliver festival £10,000 £10,000 (through NIEC) 
			 Greater New Lodge Festival 20/07/04 Part deliver festival £10,000 £10,000 (through NIEC) 
			 Maiden City Festival 21/07/04 Part deliver festival £50,000 £49,655.19 (through NIEC) 
		
	
	DSD
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Feile An Phobail July 2004 West Belfast/Feile 2004 - project costs and salaries £125,197.00 £102,720.95 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh 29/07/04 Fleadh £60,080.00 £60,080.00 
			 Greater New Lodge Festival 29/07/04 Festival £29,160.00 £29,160.00 
			 Maiden City 16/11/04 Contribution towards marketing insurance and postage costs £33,860.00 £33,045.44 
			 Golden Link Galliagh 20/10/04 Contribution towards staging, sound, lighting and generator costs £5,000.00 £5,000.000 
		
	
	Transitional Funding 2005–06
	DCAL
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Belfast Festival at Queen's 19/10/05 Part deliver festival £52,000 No claims have been made to date 
			 Feile An Phobail No Letter of Offer issued to date N/A N/A N/A 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh 29/07/05 Part deliver festival £10,000 £7,500 to date 
			 Greater New Lodge Festival 26/07/05 Part deliver festival £10,000 £7,500 to date 
			 Maiden City Festival 16/06/05 Part deliver festival £50,000 £50,000 
		
	
	DSD
	
		
			 Name ofGroup Whenfundingawarded Purpose offunding How muchfundingapproved byDepartment How muchfunding given 
			 Feile an Phobail July 2005 
			 29/07/05 West Belfast/ Feile 2005 - Project Costs and Salaries £125,197.000 £106,232.48 
			 Greater New Lodge Festival 02/08/05 Festival £29,160.00 £29,160.00 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh 02/08/05 Fleadh £60,080.00 £58,905.00 
			 (to date) 
			 Maiden City Festival 07/07/05 Letter of Variance issued 
			 12/12/05 Contribution towards marketing, insurance, and postage costs £34,150.00 None drawn down to date 
			 Golden Link Galliagh 17/08/05 Contribution towards production costs (staging, sound, lighting and generator) £5,000.00 £4,875.00 
			 (to date) 
		
	
	Claim information for 2005 is still in the process of being submitted.
	A summary of the claim details for the festivals funded in 2003 and 2004 will be placed in the Library of the House.

Northern Ireland: Victims andEx-prisoners Groups

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What payments the Community Relations Unit has made to victims groups and to ex-prisoners groups in Northern Ireland since 1998; how much each group received; when the payments were received; and for what purpose they were made.

Lord Rooker: The Community Relations Unit (CRU) in OFMDFM has not provided funding to ex-prisoners groups. Under the departmental mainstream capital programme, the Community Relations Unit awarded SAVER/NAVER (a victims group based in South Armagh) financial assistance of £97,500 in December 2002 towards the purchase of property at 43 Main Street, Markethill for office accommodation and cross-community activities.
	The Community Relations Council, through funding allocated by CRU, has provided funding to both victims groups and ex-prisoners groups. The detail on how much each group received and for what purpose is already in the public domain and can be found in the Community Relations Council's annual reports for each financial year from 1998 to date and is also available on its website at www.nicrc.org.uk.
	The funding allocations to these sectors is broken down as follows:
	
		1998–99
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £23,219 £48,295 
		
	
	
		1999–2000
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £4,945 £43,503.03 
		
	
	
		2000–01
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £11,750 £49,739.80 
		
	
	
		2001–02
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £10, 710 £70, 974 
		
	
	
		2002–03
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £710 £52,905.32 
		
	
	
		2003–04
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £2,806.20 £46,981.50 
		
	
	
		2004–05
		
			 Ex-Prisoners Groups/Projects Victims Groups/Projects 
			 £8,176 £35,350

Pensions: Financial Assistance Scheme

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the trustees of pension schemes eligible for the financial assistance scheme are not permitted to pay the financial assistance scheme level of benefits to members who are terminally ill, or have already retired, if the scheme has enough funds to pay at this level.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: They will often be able to do so. Once a scheme commences wind up, the trustees will continue to pay pensions to members who have already retired or other benefits (such as ill health benefits to members who are terminally ill) as they fall due, while being mindful of the scheme rules, any overriding statutory legislation, and the funding position of the scheme. In the event that the scheme has enough funds to pay members the FAS level of benefits, those members would not be eligible for FAS.

People Trafficking

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to launch the United Kingdom National Action Plan on trafficking.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We launched a consultation document on human trafficking on 5 January 2006 and the results will be used to develop our UK National Action Plan on human trafficking. The consultation document can be viewed at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/TacklingTrafficking.pdf.

Agriculture: Polytunnels

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their view on the use of polytunnels; and
	What benefits they have identified from the use of polytunnels; how many food miles they estimate are saved by polytunnel grown produce per annum; and what is the total value to the economy of fruit and vegetables grown in polytunnels.

Lord Bach: The Government's view on the use of polytunnels is that their use in the production of horticultural produce can benefit the economy and has a place in sustainable production, provided that growers manage them sensitively, especially with regard to their visual impact.
	Polytunnels are used to protect crops from the weather and provide enhanced growing conditions. They help British growers meet consumer demand by supplying a wide range of home-grown produce over an extended growing season, and can help reduce pesticide use.
	The Government have made no estimate of the food miles saved by production in polytunnels, nor of the value to the economy of fruit and vegetables grown in polytunnels.

Prison Service: Drug Treatment Programmes

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the National Treatment Agency is responsible for the delivery of drug treatment programmes in the prison service.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No, the National Treatment Agency (NTA) is not responsible for delivery of drug treatment in the prison service. The National Offender Management Service has this responsibility and it is ensuring that the NTA's drug treatment delivery standards are being integrated into the custodial setting.

Railways: Watford Junction to Brighton

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take steps to encourage the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure the continuation of through services between Watford Junction and Gatwick and Brighton via the West London line.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Strategic Rail Authority is due to be wound up by the end of March 2006. Her Majesty's Government will not take steps to encourage the continuation of through rail services between Watford Junction and Brighton via the West London Line. Passengers on the Brighton Main Line suffer poor punctuality and high levels of crowding, partly because the timetable has become congested with lightly-used trains. The Watford-Brighton trains are among the least well-used trains south of Clapham Junction, and it is proposed that the service should be truncated to run only between Watford Junction and Clapham Junction, as part of the initiative to improve punctuality and reduce crowding for the majority of passengers.

Roads

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide (a) a breakdown of funding allocated to each local transport authority in England since 1997; and (b) a breakdown by miles of road per transport authority.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Table 1 provides a breakdown of local transport capital funding provided to English local authorities from 1997–98 to 2005–06. Table 2 provides a breakdown of miles of road by authority.

Sea Cadets: "Respect" Agenda

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider Sea Cadet units to have a role to play in the Prime Minister's "respect" agenda.

Lord Drayson: The Sea Cadets' founding premise was, and still is, to encourage valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct using a nautical theme based on the customs and ethos of the Royal Navy. The Sea Cadets Corps is a catalyst for encouraging a spirit of self-reliance, teamwork and service among its members, and for helping young people grow into effective and responsible citizens in a way which is wholly consistent with the "respect" agenda.

Timber: Sawmills

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many sawmills in each of the standard English regions and in Wales are capable of converting timber grown in the United Kingdom into sawn products.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Forestry Commission has provided the following estimates of the number of sawmills in 2004 in each of the standard English regions and in Wales.
	
		
			 Region Sawmills 
			 North East 12 
			 North West 16 
			 Yorks & Humber 17 
			 East Midlands 14 
			 West Midlands 19 
			 East of England 11 
			 London 0 
			 South East 10 
			 South West 24 
			 Wales 21 
		
	
	Figures published by the commission indicate that in 2004 just over 95 per cent. of the timber converted in United Kingdom sawmills was grown in the United Kingdom.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, once the consultant's report into customer services training in Waterways Ireland is completed, they will publish their proposed course of action; and whether they will place a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 6 December (Official Report, col. WA 98).
	A copy of the report into customer service training at Waterways Ireland, when available, will be placed in the Library of the House. It is not clear at this time what action plan, if any, will be required in response to the final report.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the annual report for Waterways Ireland, how the value of assets was calculated to be £11,622,174; and whether they will break this figure down by main items.

Lord Rooker: The assets in question are non-operational heritage properties and their values were provided to Waterways Ireland on a professional basis, as follows.
	
		
			  
			 60 per cent. of Plot 8, Grand Canal Basin,   Ringsend, Dublin €15,000,000 
			 53 Percy Place, Dublin €1,500,000 
			 Total €16,500,000 
		
	
	For the 2004 annual accounts of Waterways Ireland this total has been converted to Sterling at a rate of £1= €1.4197. This amounts to £11,622,174.
	I refer the noble Lord to Note 1.4 to the accounts which describes the valuation and depreciation policies applying to the organisation's fixed assets.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker of 6 December (WA 98) concerning the purchase of chocolates for the staff of Waterways Ireland, on what date in December 2002 approval was given to spend funding on the chocolates; and for how many future years did this decision apply; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 6 December (WA 98) concerning Waterways Ireland and the purchase of chocolates for all staff; how value for money was ensured; how many quotations were received; and whether a cost benefit analysis was undertaken.

Lord Rooker: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the decision to purchase a small gift for all staff in the organisation was made on 3 December 2002, and applied to 2002 only.
	The senior management group at Waterways Ireland did, however, give separate consideration and approval on 4 December 2003 to the purchase of a further small gift for all staff.
	I also understand from Waterways Ireland that three quotations were sought for the purchase of chocolates in 2002. Only one quotation was received and the contract to supply chocolates was awarded to that company.
	The amount of expenditure involved did not require a cost benefit analysis to be undertaken. It is believed that all the chocolates were eaten.

Waterways Ireland: Portrunny Harbour

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When work on the existing harbour at Portrunny, County Roscommon was completed by Waterways Ireland; what are the new facilities; and how much they cost.

Lord Rooker: I understand from Waterways Ireland that, following completion of the breakwater extension and the installation of additional floating jetties, the revised harbour at Portrunny was opened to boat traffic in May 2005 with work completed on the car park in October. The service block is due to be completed early in 2006. The total expenditure on the Portrunny project up to 21 December 2005 was €923,242.

Wildlife: Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What work they have undertaken to establish whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat livestock are killing birds and other wildlife which scavenge on carcasses in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), an executive agency of Defra, has been carrying out disease surveillance of wild bird populations since August 2001. Post-mortem examinations are carried out on any incidents of mass mortality affecting wild birds, which are reported via ornithological organisations or via the general public. In addition to screening for important viruses, such as West Nile virus and avian influenza, other examinations such as bacteriology are carried out and alternative diagnoses are recorded. To date 2,103 wild birds from 107 species have been examined. The results are available on the Internet at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/vla/science/science-end-wildlife.htm.
	In addition VLA examines the carcasses of wildlife, including birds, for evidence of poisoning on behalf of the Pesticides Safety Directorate of Defra. The annual reports of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme can be viewed at www.pesticides.gov.uk/environment.
	No specific analyses for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are included in any of the assays carried out under either scheme. There is currently no active research into this area being carried out at VLA.
	The Animal By-Products Order 1999 prohibits the disposal of animal carcases on land and requires that they are disposed of promptly thus minimising the opportunity for scavenging by wildlife.

Young Offenders: Mental Health

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the statement by the chairman of the Youth Justice Board in December 2005 on the number of children and young people committed to custody, and on the appropriateness of housing the mentally ill in penal establishments; and what action they propose to take on these matters.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government understand Professor Morgan's concerns. Custody should be the last resort and high numbers in custody can impact on the scope of establishments to provide positive regimes for young people. The Government have been active through the intensive supervision and surveillance programme in providing demanding community interventions for young people who might otherwise be sent to custody. The Youth Justice Board is working to promote high quality advice to courts on sentencing options in individual cases and greater geographical consistency in the sentencing of young people. The Government recognise that there are some young people with serious mental health problems in custodial establishments. The Home Office and the Youth Justice Board are working with the Department of Health on mental health provision for under-18s. Extra secure hospital places have been made available and further places are planned. We are also seeking to improve provision for young people in custody who have less serious mental health difficulties.